Weft-furnishing, &amp;c., mechanism for looms.



PATENTED AUG. 9, 1904.

H. I. HARRIMAN. WEFT FURNISHING, &o., MECHANISM FOR LOOMS APPLICATIONFILED FEB. 6, 1902' 9 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

N0 MODEL.

No. 767,056. PATENTED AUG. 9,1904.

' H. I. HARRIMAN. WBFT FURNISHING, &0., MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

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K0 mom-.1 V 9 sums-mama '5 gction at "6-17 rwemtozv 'No. 767,056.PATENTED AUG. 9, 1904.

H. I. HARRIMAN. W'EFT FURNISHING, 620., MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

AP PLIUATION FILED PER. 6. 1902.

9 SHEETS-811321 3.

H0 MODEL.

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No. 767,056. PATENTED AUGfQ, 1904. H I. HARRIMAN.

WEFT FURNISHING M MEGHANISM FO R LOOMS. APPLICATION-FILED FEB. 6, 1902.

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' PATENTED AUG. 9, 1904. H. I. HARRIMAN. WEFT FURNISHING, 8w, MECHANISMFOR LOOMS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. G, 1902.

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M Vk e-A lvm I PATBNTED AUG.9,/19O4. H. I. HARRIMAN. V WBPT PURNISHING,m, MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

APPLIOATIOR FILED I'BB. 6. 1902. H0 MODEL. 9 SHEETS-411E111 'I.

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WBPT FURNISHING, 620., MECHANISM FOR Looms.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. e 1902.

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llivTTEn STaTEs Patented August 9, 1904.

EETT EETEE.

HENRY I. HARRIMAN, OF N ElV YORK, N. Y., i-TSSIGNOR TO THE AblERIUANLOOM COMPANY, OF READVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS, A UURPORAJTION OF NEl/VJERSEY.

wEFT-Funmei-ime, 81.0., WlECHANlEWl Eon Leoni SPECIFICATION forming partof Letters Patent No. 767,056, dated August 9, 1904.

Application filed February 6, 1902. Serial No. 92,776. N ode -l To (LUwho/1t it vim/y (EON/(56772.

Be it known that I, HENRY l. HARRIMAN, a citizen of the United States,residing at New York,in the county of New Y0rk,State of New 5 York, haveinvented a certain new and useful llmprovement in Weft-Furnishing, &c.Mechanism for Looms, of which the following is a specification,reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

I o The invention has been designed for use more especially incombination with looms in which replenishment of the working weft-supplyis effected automatically when occasion therefor arises, althoughcertain features of the invention are capable of being used separatelyand others are capable of being used in combination with looms which arenot equipped with automatic Weft-replenishing instrumentalities.

Ageneralaim of the invention is to relieve a weaver from certain dutiesin connection with the supplies of weft or filling which are used in thelooms under his charge and by reducing the demands upon his attention inconnection with such supplies and lessening the amount of labor requiredto be expended thereon to afford him opportunity to confine hisattention more closely to other matters connected with the generalprogress of the weaving in each loom and also render it pos sible forhim to take care of an increased number of looms.

Varioustypes or classes of looms effecting replenishment of the workingweft-supply therein automatically are known. in some instances inpractice the replenishment is effected by replacing automatically thebobbin which is contained within the working shuttle on the lay by areserve bobbin loaded with weft or filling, the yarn-delivery eye oreduct of the said shuttle being contrived so as to cause the yarn fromthe said bobbin to become threaded theretln'ough without manualintervention. It has been proposed to use fillingcases adapted forremovable application to the body of a loom-shuttle, each carrying a,

load of weft or filling, and to effect the desired replenishment byejecting the filling-ease from the working shuttle on the lay andintroduc- T the invention. elevatlon a shuttle of the kind which Iemploy ing in its place a reserve filling'case loaded with weft orlilling and properly threaded in 5 readiness to be utilized incontinuation of the weaving operation. In practice, also, replen ishmentis effected by ejecting the working shuttle from the lay andsubstituting a reserve shuttle properly loaded. with weft or filling andall threaded up in readiness to begin weaving.

in the particular form in which the invention is shown embodied in thepresent case the features thereof in general are adapted for employmentin combination with looms in which weft re )lenishment i i t l craniumrece fillin -case or a s in e, although the present embodiment in itsentirety has been designed with more especial reference to dealing withfilling-cases.

Generally speaking, regarded in its entirety the said embodimentcon'iprises among its main features-nnntna ollecting and 7 conveying thelil ty or s of (be said lilling- ,recemtaclcs th means for caiismg thelilllngu'eceptacles to occupy the desired position in being presentedfor reloading, and means for conveying and distributing the loadedlilling-receptacles to the loom or looms in which further use thereof isto be made. 0

The various features of the invention are treated of in detailhereiiiiafter.

To a certain extent the invention is capable of being utilized inconnection with a single loom; butithas been designed more especially 5for use in combination with a group or series of looms.

in the drawings, Figure 1 is a view somewhat on the order of a diagramand partly in section, illustrating the said embodiment of 9 Fig. 2,Sheet 2, shows inside looms, means in one variety of \veft-replenishingloom in eonnectuin with which the present invention is 'utillzed. l lg.3, Sheet 2, shows the said shuttle in plan with a certain part brokenout.

Fig. 4, Sheet 2, shows in elevation a fillingcase such as is employed inthe shuttle shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Fig. 5, Sheet 2, shows the saidfilling-case in plan. Figs. 6 and 7, Sheet 2, are views of one of thearrangements with which the shuttle of Figs. 2 and 3 is provided for thepurpose of holding in place within the said shuttle the filling-case ofFigs. 4 and 5. Fig. 8, Sheet 2, is a view showing the filling-case invertical section on the plane that is indicated by the dotted line CD,Figs. 4 and 5. Fig. 9, Sheet 2, is a view showing the shuttle invertical section on the plane that is indicated by the dotted line A B,Figs. 2 and 3. Fig. 10, Sheet 1, is a partly-sectional detail showingmainly the means of delivering the filling-receptacle that is ejectedfrom a loom to the railway-belt. Fig.11,Sheet 1, is a similar view fromone side in Fig. 10. Fig. 12, Sheetl, shows in planaportion of theconveyer devices and the loading mechanism in connection therewith. Fig.13, Sheet 3, shows in plan a detail of the said conveyer devices,illustratingmainly the means whereby all of the filling-receptacles inadvancing are caused to assume the same plane. Fig. 14, same sheet,shows in side elevation the features of Fig. 13. Figs. 15, 16, and 17,Sheet 3, are detail views in section on the vertical plane indicated bythe dotted line E F of Fig. 13, showing the action of the device of Fig.13. Fig. 18, Sheet 4, shows in plan another portion of the conveyer, itillustrating mainly the devices which are employed for separating thefilling-receptacles which occupy a given or predetermined position fromthose which do not occupy the said position. Fig. 19, Sheet 4, shows inside elevation a portion of the devices of Fig. 18. Fig. 20, Sheet 5, isa view corresponding somewhat with Fig. 18 and illustrating the actionof the devices. Fig. 21, Sheet 5, is a view corresponding somewhat withFig. 19 and illustrating more particularly the action of the detector.Fig. 22, Sheet 5, is a view of the conveyer of Figs. 18 to 21 insection, on a vertical plane, adjacent the detector device. Fig. 23,Sheet 5, is a view in vertical section on the plane indicated by thedotted line GH, Fig. 20. Fig. 24, Sheet 6, is a view showingamodification of the means for inverting certain of thefilling-receptacles. Fig. 25, Sheet 7, shows in plan a portion of theconveyer and the loading mechanism in connection therewith. Fig. 26,Sheet 7, is a View in section on the vertical plane indicated by thedotted line I J, Fig. 25. Fig. 27, Sheet 8, shows in front elevationportion of the conveying and distributing arrange ment and the frame ofa loom. Fig. 28, Sheet 8, is a view of the features of Fig. 27 lookingfrom the left in Fig. 27. Fig. 29, Sheet 8, shows in plan the conveyingand distributing devices of Figs. 27 and 28, the loom-frame beingomitted. Fig. 30, Sheet 8, is a partly sectional elevation showingdetails of the switching devices. Fig. 31, Sheet 8, shows in plan thefeatures of Fig. 30. Fig. 32, Sheet 1, is a sectional detail of theconveying and distributing arrangement. Fig. 33, Sheet 9, is a detailview of the loading mechanism and certain parts which are adjacent thesame. Fig. 34, Sheet 6, is a plan view of portion of the conveyer,showing one means of inverting the filling-receptacles which passtherethrough. Figs. 35, 36, 37, 38, and 39 are views in section on theplanes indicated by the correspondingly-numbered lines in Fig. 34,illustrating the action of the inverting device in connection with anadvancing fillingreceptacle, which arrives at the same upside down.

In illustrating in Fig. 1 of the drawings the general relations of thevarious parts and instrumentalities pertaining to the illustratedembodiment of the invention I have for convenience shown only two looms,as at 1 1; .but in practice any convenient and approved number of loomsmay be embraced in the group or series with which my invention iscombined. The looms at 1 1 are supposed to be of the well-known type oflooms in which automatic replenishment of the working weft-supply isefiected by making a change of fillingcases that is to say, by ejectingfrom the working shuttle on the lay the spent or failed filling-casethat is contained within the same and introducing instead into the saidshuttle a reserve filling-case which is in condition to enable theweaving to be continued. Various arrangements of automaticweft-replenishing instrumentalities operating on this principle arepresented in prior patents. Ashuttle 2 of the character that may beemployed in the said looms 1 1 in order to facilitate the change orsubstitution of filling-cases is shown in Figs. 2 and 3, Sheet 2, and afilling-case 3, adapted for use in connection with such shuttle, isshown separately in Figs. 4 and 5, Sheet 2. Reference to theillustrations of the said shuttle and filling-case will render clear thegeneral character thereof and perhaps aid in acquiring an understandingof the purposes and mode of operation of certain features of theinvention. The features of the shuttle and filling-case are notthemselves involved in the invention claimed in the present case, nor isthe invention in any respect limited to use in connection with theprecise form, &c.., of shuttle and filling -case shown in the drawings.For the purposes of this case the said features may be briefly describedas follows: The shuttle-body is formed with an opening 2 of a size tocontain the filling-case 3, Figs. 4 and 5, the said opening extendingentirely through the shuttle-body, as indicated in Figs. 2, 3, and 9, soas to enable the filling-case to be introduced at one side of theshuttle into the chamber which is constituted by such opening and to beexpelled at the opposite side. Vhen in position within the opening"reposeor chamber 2, the filling-case 3 is retained in place therein bydctents, which in the present case are constituted by \l-shaped blocks2" 2", Figs. 2, 3, 6, and 7,that enter correspondinglyshaped notches 3 3in the endsof the fillingcase. The said blocks are fitted within thevertical slots 2" of plugs 2 2, (see more especially Figs. 6 and 7,)which are inserted into the shuttle-body at the opposite ends of theopening or chamber 2. They are held projected normally into position toengage with the ends of the filling-case by means of spiral springs 2 2The said springs surround the stems 2 2 of the blocks 2" 2 and areconfined Within the longitudinalchambers 2 2 of said plugs between theblocks and the inner ends of the chambers. When a filling-case is firstpressed into the opening or chamber of the shuttle, the blocks 2 2 yieldto the pressure of the end portions of the same against their obliquefaces, so as to permit the said fillingcase to be forced into positionwithin the opening or chamber 2*; but when said blocks have entered intothe notches 3 3 they serve to hold the filling-case in place during themovements of the shuttle. They yield and recede also to allow the spentor failed fillingcase to be expelled from said chamber when the reservefilling-case which is being substituted therefor is pressed laterallyagainst the former. In order to facilitate the entrance of a fillingcaseinto the opening or chamber 2 of a shuttle, the upper and lower edges ofthe side thereof which enters first are beveled off longitudinally, asat 3" 3", Figs. 5 and 8, and the ends of said side are also beveled off,as at 3 3, Fig. 5, and in addition the shuttle-body is beveled oil at 22 Figs. 2, 3, and 9, at the opposite ends of the opening orchamber 2 onthe side of the shuttle at which the filling-case enters. The variousbeveled surfaces tend to deflect the entering filling-case into theopening or chamber 2 in case the shuttle should be slightly misplacedwith respect to its proper positionat the time of making a change offilling-cases. The weft or filling in wound form which is carried by thefilling-case is contained within the chamber or cavity 3 of thefilling-case. The manner of applying the said weft or filling to thefillingcase and retaining it in place therein is not material to theinvention. In the present instance the filling-case is adapted toreceive weft or filling wound upon bobbins, as at 3", Fig. 13, Sheet 3,Fig. 20, Sheet 5, and Figs. 25 and 26, Sheet 7, and is provided with aUshaped clasp 3, Fig. 5, Sheet 2, to receive and engage withthe head ofa bobbin. This is similar to the well-known arrangement for securing abobbin within the chamber or cavity of loomshuttles in one well-knownform of weft-replenishing looms and enables the bobbin tobe'inserted atone side of the filling case or loom-shuttle and to be expelled at theother side. The expulsion of the old or spent bobbin and theintroduction of a fresh bobbin admits of being effected simultaneouslymerely by pressing the latter into place, it pushingthe old or spentbobbin ahead of it, and thereby ejecting the same.

i. have not shown the actual weft-replenishing instrl'unentalities whichare employed in the looms 1 1; but in Fig. l the hoppers or magazines inwhich are contained the reserve supplies of filling-cases for therespective looms are shown at i 4:, mounted upon the breast-beams of thelatter.

One action involved in the weft replenishment in looms in which weftreplenislm'ient is effected automaticallyis the ejection or discharge ofthe spent or failed iilling-carrier. Thus in looms in which a reservebobbin or the like is introduced into the working shuttle on the lay thebobbin or the like first contained within said shuttle is expelledtherefrom. So, likewise, in looms in which a filling-case is removablycombined with the working shuttle on the lay such filling-case isexpelled when a reserve filling-case is introduced into the shuttle.\Vhen weft replenishment is effected by making change of shuttles, it isthe spent or failed shuttle which is discharged from the lay. In allthese cases a spent or failed filling-carrier constituted by, it may bea bobbin, or a filling-case, or a shuttle, is ejected or discharged fromthe parts with which it previously had working relations. In conformitywith one feature of my invention 1 provide means for collecting andconveying or delivering the ejected filling-carriers to the desiredstation. This means may in practice vary more or less in constructionand arrangement, according to the exigencies of use and the views ofbuilders and users of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment ofthe invention one eharacteristic feature of the said means is an endlesstraveling apron or railway-belt extending conveniently with relation tothe loom or looms in connection with which it serves. The position ofthis railway-belt relative to the looms and other objects may vary inpractice. So, also, a variety of means may be employed for deliveringthe spent or failed filling-carriers thereto from the looms. Such arailway-belt is shown at 6 inthe drawings. (See more especially Figs. 1,l0, and 11.) Suitable supporting and actuating pulleys are provided inconnection with said railwaybelt, as at (5" 6, Fig. l. and in practicepower is applied to said pulleys to actuate the railway-belt in anyconvenient manner not necessary to be shown. .Preferal'ily in connectionThe said botroo tom 6 supports the said run of the railwaybelt.Preferably the railway-belt is extended beneath the series of looms 1 1,although it is not essential in all cases that the railway-belt shouldbe beneath the said looms, and preferably, also, although notnecessarily in all embodiments of the invention it is located beneaththe floor 7, on which the said looms stand, and immediately beneath theceiling of the room below. For the purpose of receiving the spent orfailed filling-carriers as they are expelled or ejected from the looms 11 and delivering the same to the railway-belt 6 I provide means which inpractice will be adapted in character, arrangement, &c., to thelocation, arrangement, &c., of the said railwaybelt. In the presentembodiment of my invention with the railway-belt located below the loomseach loom is furnished with a chute 5, (see Figs. 1, 10, and 11,) thelower end of which extends into proximity to the upper surface of theupper run of the railway-belt 6 and is arranged to deposit the saidfillingcarriers upon the same. The filling-carriers fall through therespective chutes to the railway-belt. Should the railway-belt bearranged above the looms, as in some cases is practicable, suitablearrangements for hoisting the expelled or ejected filling-carriers tothesame Will be provided in obvious manner.

For some purposes it is necessary or desirable that the expelled orejected filling-carriers should reach the conveying or delivering meansin a given position. Thus, as will presently appear, certain subsequentoperations in connection with such filling-carriers are therebyfacilitated. In the present instance I have contrived means of causingthe filling-carriers.

to be deposited lengthwise of the railwaybelt that is to say, the insidediameter of each chute from front to rear corresponds closely with thewidth of a filling-carrier, and the delivery portion of the chute isbent or curved forwardly in the direction of the movement of the upperrun of the railway-belt. Thereby each filling-carrier on reaching thelatter is laid lengthwise upon the same.

It is desired in some cases, especially in order to facilitate theexpulsion of a spent bobbin or the like from a filling-receptacleconstituted by a filling case or shuttle and the introduction of a freshone, that the same end of every filling-carrier shall lead upon therailway-belt. In order to secure this result, one side, as 51, Figs. land 10, of each chute is arranged to deflect the filling-carriers as thelatter fall, so as to cause the required end of each thereof to proceedfirst. A collecting and delivering means constituted, for example, by arailway-belt like that which has just been described, may be employed toadvantage in connection with a series of looms that are unprovided withautomatic weft-replenishing instrumentalities. In this case spent orfailed filling-carriers for instance,

bobbins or the like removed by theweaver from the shuttles employed inthe said loom may be dropped by him into chutes corresponding with thoseat 5 5 or otherwise delivered to the conveyer and will be delivered bythe latter at the desired station.

In the present embodiment of the invention the railway-belt delivers thefilling-receptacles to a slideway 8, Figs. 1 and 12, leading toautomatic reloading mechanism at 11 in said figures. Thefilling-receptacles are permitted to pass down the said slideway underthe influence of gravity. It is necessary that all thefilling-receptacles which are presented to the reloading mechanismshould reach the latter with the respective sides thereof in the properposition in order that the operations which are incident to reloadingand rethreading may be performed properly. As deposited upon the upperrun of the railway-belt 6 from the chutes 5 5 some of the filling-casesmay be right side up, others may be bottom side up, and others may bestanding edgewise on either of the lateral sides thereof upon the saidrailway-belt. If desired, in the case of some embodiments of certainfeatures of my invention the duty of observing the fillingreceptaclesand giving the required position to all that are not properly positionedmay devolve upon an attendant, but preferably I arrange for performingthis duty mechanically. The particular construction and arrangementemployed for the purpose may vary in practice without involvingdeparture from the principle of my invention. In the illustratedembodiment of the invention the slideway 8 is provided with raised sides8 8*, between which the filling-cases from the looms 1 1 are guided. Asthe filling-cases proceed down the slideway between the said raisedsides 8 8 Iarrange first to cause any thereof which may be standing onedge, as in Fig. 15, to be turned down flat, as in Fig. 17. Thus I applyto side 8 a turning-over device, which is shown constituted by a finger9, Figs. 1 and 13 to 17, which extends obliquely across the slidewaytoward the side 8 in such fashion that a filling-case descending theslideway. in the on-edge position (represented in Fig. 15) will makecontact by its most elevated portion with the obliquely-disposed workingedge of the turning-over finger 9. Thereby the said filling-case will bedeflected laterally over toward the side 8 (see Fig. 13) as it continuesits advancing movement until its under edge, as in Fig. 16, makescontact with the lower portion of the side 8, which side is bowedoutward adjacent the turningover finger 9. The filling-case will thenturn or roll over, as in Fig. 16, until it has gone over far enough toslide down under the turningover finger 9 into the position representedin Fig. 17, when it will be free to pass, on down the slideway 8. Afterpassing the turningover finger 9 the filling-cases all lie upon theirsides, as in Fig. 17; but part thereof may lie right side up while partthereof lie in reversed position -that is to say, bottom side up. Iprovide inverting means whereby these latter are turned right side up.Preferably for the purpose of ascertaining which lilling- E s l casesrequire to be inverted I employ a detecting device, which I will nowproceed to explain. I mount upon or adjacent the slideway 8, as foundmost convenient in practice, a detector which is arranged to cooperatewith filling-cases as they pass onward to the reloading mechanism and sothat filling-cases which are right side up will pass such detectorwithout actuating the latter, but those which are bottom side up willactuate the same. Th us at 10, Figs. 18 to 22, is one form of detector,the same being fast on a short shaft 10*, mounted in a bearing 10, thatis provided on the side 8* of the slideway 8. This detector 10 projectsinto the path of the filling-cases between sides 8 and 8 of slideway 8and stands fairly close to the side 8. IV hen a fillingcase is rightside up within the slideway, the bevels 3" 3 Fig. 8, thereof are turnedtoward the side 8 of the slideway. In this position the lateral side ofthe filling-case which is reduced in height will come next the detectorand the upturned beveled portion of said side will pass freely beneaththe detector without engaging therewith; but when the filling-case is inreversed position, as in Figs. 20 and 21, the lateral sideof the samewhich is of full height will pass under the detector and by engagementtherewith, as in Figs. 20 and 21, will move the same around the axis ofits shaft 10. In the present construction and arrangement of partsdetector 10 is combined with devices whereby the filling-cases which arewrong side up are sorted out and separated from those which are rightside up. slideway 8 is furnished with a branch, as 8", and also with aswitch-point, as 8, the said switch-point being under the operativecontrol of said detector. The means and manner of operativelycombiningthe detector and switch-point may vary in practice and such.means may be either electrical or mechanical; abut in the presentembodiment of the invention I employ electrol'nagnetic controlling andoperating connections, which are shown best in Figs. 18 to 23. Thus withthe shaft 1O is connected a contact-piece 10, coacting with a fixedcontact-piece 10. At 10 10 are conducting-wires which are connectedelectrically with the contact-pieces 1O 10, respectively, and which formpart of an electric circuit embracing also a source of electric energy,

as at 10, and an electromagnet, as at 10'. The switch-pointS is pivoted,as at 8, and an armature, as 10', is connected or attached thereto. Aspring 8 connected with said switch-point, acts to hold saidswitch-point normally in one position-as, for instance, in thepositionwhich leaves the main way of the Thus the slideway 8 open andcloses the branch way. (See Fig. 18.) l Vhen the switch-point in thisposition, which will be the case so long as the contact between 10" and10" is interrupted or broken, the filling-cases will pass in along themain way of the slideway; but when the contact-moons at 10 10" arebrought together, as by the passage of a lilling-case bottom side upbeneath detector .10, as in Figs. 20, 21, and 22, the electromagnet willoperate to swing the switch-point over, so as to close the main way anddivertsuch filling-case into the branch way, as in Fig. 20. I nconnection with branch 8," of the slideway 8 provision is made forreversing those filling-cases which are caused to enter the same. Thusat 9 and 9 Figs. 12, Sheet 1, and 34, Sheet 6, are intended to beindicated two turning-over devices each contrived to impart to thefilling-case which passes the same a quarter-turn upon its longitudinalaxis, as indicated in Figs. to 39, Sheet 6, or the branch may be formedas a closed tube having a half-turn or twist upon its longitudinal axis,as indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 24, so as thereby to occasion therequired inversion of the fillingcase which passes through the same. Thebranch 8 opens into the main way at 8 below the inverting devices, sothat all the fillingcases slide down in regular succession, one afterthe other, through the lower portion 8' of the slideway. In some casesthe inverting devices maybe omitted, and when this is the fact thebranch 8 will be arranged to discharge into a convenient receptacle,from which last the lilling-cases will subsequently be taken andproperly applied by hand to the feeding arrangements for the reloadingmechanism in the proper position.

The reloading mechanism 11 is combined with the portion S of theslideway. The said reloading mechanism hasfor its functions to introducea fresh load orsupply of weft or lilling into each filling-receptaclereaching the same, and preferably, also, to thread the free end. of suchweft or filling through the yarn-delivery eye or educt 3, Figs. I and 5,although the threading operation may, if preferred, be performedseparately and subsequently as by hand. The character and constructionof the reloading mechanism will vary more or less in practice. In thepresent instance it has been contrived with especial reference forcmerating in connection with yarn wound upon bobbins and has beenconstructed and arranged to operate to eject the spent or failed bobbinfrom a filling-case, introduce a loaded bobbin into the latter. andeffect the threading as aforesaid. A convenient construction, thereof isshown in the drawings, in which latter, having reference more especiallyto Figs. 25 and 26, 11 is a hopper or magazine in the forl'n of anupright chute adapted to receive a series of bobbins loaded with weft oriillin g, as at 12 12, the

said magazine being supported in convenient manner with the lower ordelivery end adjacent and immediately above the passage within theportion S of the slideway 8. The

said delivery end of the magazine is furnished with yielding detents 11ll ,pi'eferably constituted by spring-fingers projecting across thedeliver y-mouth of the magazinesufficiently far to prevent the bottombobbin in said magazine from escaping prematurely. The said detents giveway before suificient force acting to expelsaid bobbin from the hopperor magazine, as will presently be explained,and then resume their normalposition so as to engage and retain the next succeeding bobbin. One endof said hopper or magazine, as 11, is slotted vertically, as at 11, andthrough the said slot the free ends of the yarns 12 12, which are woundupon the bobbins 12, are drawn, the said ends being attached to a pin orthelike, as at 12*, Figs. 25 and 26. For the purpose of effecting theexpulsion of the spent or failed bobbin 12 in the filling-case, which isin position beneath the lower end of magazine 11, and the introductionof a loaded bobbin into the same I employ a pusher, as 13, mounted toswing vertically upon a rod, as 13, and adapted to make contact in itsmovement against the lowest bobbin in the magazine, so as to press saidbobbin down into the fillingcase, the said bobbin driving the spent orfailed bobbin contained in the filling case ahead of it out of thefilling-case through the open bottom of the slideway and into thedelivery-chute at 13. For the automatic performance of the threadingoperation a threading-hook 1 1 is provided, it being pivotally mounted,as at 14, and in practice being caused to pass from the outside throughthe deliveryeye or yarn-educt 3 of the filling-case, engage with theportion of yarn 12, extending to the pin 12" from the bobbin, which hasjust been introduced into the filling-case, and then withdrawn, drawingsuch portion out through the said delivery-eye or educt with it. For thepurpose of insuring the engagement of the threading device with theportion of weft or filling which extends from the bobbin that is beingforced into the filling-case by the pusher 13 to the pin 12 a loop 13 isapplied to the pusher, as shown in Figs. 25 and 26. This loop bears downupon the said portion of yarn when the pusher is depressed, and therebyholds the same within the path of movement of the threading-hook. Forthe purpose of disconnecting the end of weft or filling leading to thepin 12 after the threading of the filling-case has been effected thestationary shear-blade 1 Fig. 26, is attached to one side of the portion8 of the slideway in position to coact with the threading-hook as thelatter approaches its most retracted position. For the convenientactuation of the pusher 13 and threading device 14 I have shown themconnected, respectively, by rods 13 11 to levers 13 14', which areactuated by earns 13 14% on a rotating shaft 15 and suitable springs(not shown) acting in opposition tov said cams. In practice shaft 15 maybe actuated by any suitable means. Fig. 33, Sheet 9, shows the sameconnected by a universaljoint coupling 15 with an operating-shaft 15provided with fast and loose band-pulleys 15 For the purpose ofarresting the filling-case in proper position beneath the mouth of themagazine 11 I provide a stop, as 16, which is mounted on the axis 16 andis adapted to be projected into the path of the said fillingcase to stopthe same, as in Fig. 26, and is withdrawn after the performance of thereloading and threading operations to permit the filling-case to pass onthe said stop being again projected into the path of the followingfilling-case in season to arrest the latter in proper position to permitthe same operations to be performed in connection therewith. The stop 16is operated by the conjoint action of a cam 16 on the shaft 15 andspring 16 or any other suitable means for the purpose. On the withdrawalof stop 16 the loaded or loaded and threaded filling-case passes onwardfrom the loading mechanism, and a succeeding filling-case takes itsplace. For the purpose of holding back the latter during the time of thewithdrawal of stop 16 until the said stop has been returned intoposition in which it will serve to arrest the said succeedingfillingcase in proper position with relation to the loading mechanism Iprovide in the present instance a detent-finger 16 Figs. 25 and 26,which is mounted loosely upon the axis 16 and connected with a suitableportion of stop 16 by a spring 16 hen the stop 16 is withdrawn torelease the loaded filling-case, yielding force is transmitted throughthe spring 16 to the said detent-finger, and thereby the latter iscaused to hold the said succeeding filling-case back until stop 16 isreturned to operative position. The spring 16 is intended to enable thedetent-finger to yield to obviate injury to a filling-case when thedetent-finger descends upon the same.

The loading mechanism is adapted to be used as an independent machine insome cases,

inwhich event the filling-receptacles may be fed thereto with or withoutthe intervention of means for positioning and righting thefilling-receptacles.

In the complete embodiment of my invention herein presented the loadedand threaded filling-case passes from the loading mechanism down uponthelowest part 8 of the slideway and is delivered therefrom by means forconveying the same back to the looms 1 1. Herein the said means isconstituted by an endless traveling belt 17 although I do not limitmyself to the use of the latter in all cases. For convenience indelivering the filling-case to the said belt the said lowest part 8 ofthe slideway is formed with an opening in its bottom which is closednormally by the lightly-balanced swinging door or gate 8, Fig. 1, Sheet1, and Fig. 33, Sheet 9. The said door or gate is pivoted at 8 and isadapted to swing downwardly with a loaded fillingcase 3 resting thereonand deposit said filling-case onto the upper surface of the belt 17. Thebelt 17 passes around suitable guide and supporting pulleys at 17 17",Figs. 1 and 32, Sheet 1, and Fig. 33, Sheet 9, and is actuated by meansof suitable driving arrangements as, for instance, by means of powerapplied to the band-pulley 17 Fig. Said belt 17 is provided withprojections at 17" 17, which by their engagement with the fillingcases 3or other filling-rece 'itacles serve to carry the latter up theascending portion of the belt 17 into the room above, where the loomsare located, on the way to be distrib uted at the places where suchfilling-cases are again to be brought into service. At 1717 are fixed orstationary side rails at opposite sides of the ascending portion of thebelt 17 to prevent the filling-receptacles from falling laterally offthe said belt. 17 is an inclined surface along which the said ascendingportion of belt 17 is guided. The guide-pulleys 17 17 X at the upperside of belt 17are spaced apart, as shown in Fig. 32, Sheet 1, widelyenough to permit the projections 17" 17" of said belt and thefilling-receptacles resting on said belt and carried thereby to passbetween them. The advancing portion or run of the conveyer-belt 17 isconducted above the series of looms 1 1 within a guideway 18, Fig. 1,Sheet 1, and Figs. 27 to 30, Sheet 8, having raised sides which confinethe loaded fillingcases' 3 against lateral displacement, the saidguideway having a bottom 18, which supports the conveyer-belt as ittravels along above the series of looms. At intervals the guideway 18 isprovided with branches 18 18, which lead downward toplaces of depositfor the loaded filling-cases. Herein I have shown a receiver 19 adjacenteach loom, although in some cases the branches 18 18 may deliver to thehoppers 4: 4 on the respective looms. For the purpose of diverting thefilling-cases 3 from the guideway 18 into the respective branches 18 18in order that they may pass thence to the respective .receiversswitch-points 20 of suitable character may be employed. (See Figs. 27 to31.) Each switchpoint 20 is pivoted, as at 20, in position to extendnormally across the entrance to the corresponding branch 18, asindicated in dotted lines in Fig. 31, so as to close the said entrance,or to be swung across the main guideway 18, as shown in full lines inthe said figure. into position to divert the filling-cases into thedesired branch, as aforesaid. The switch-points 20 may, if desired, beprovided with means for enabling them to be operated manually by theweaver when required. Preferably, however, they are arranged to beoperated automatically, so as to be shifted into the full-line positionof Fig. 31 on the corresponding receptacles becoming emptied to thepredetermined extent, so as to cause the said receptacles to becomeagain charged with filling-cases and so as to become shifted into thedotted-line position of Fig. 31 when the said receptacles have becomefilled to the predetermined extent. To this end the receptacles 19 maybe mounted upon supporting-frames 19, which are pivoted, as at 19", uponthe frames of the corresponding looms 1, the said frames beingcounter-weighted, as at 19", and being connected, as by a wire or red19", with a bell-crank, as 19, and a second wire or red, as 19, with anarm, as 19, on the switch 20. Thereby movement will be transmitted fromthe frame 19 to the corresponding switch 20 as the receiver orreceptacle 19 becomes emptied or filled, which will insure a constantsupply of filling-cases within the receiverre ceptacle 19. From thereceivers or receptacles 19 19 the loaded filling-cases will betransferred to the hoppers or magazines 4: 1 of the adjacent looms bythe weaver.

The conveying and distributing means may be employed for carrying anddistributing supplies of weft or filling to the respective looms 1 1 incases in which the loading mechanism, 860., is dispensed with.

1 claim as my invention 1. In combination with a plurality of loomsrespectively operating to effect weft replenishment automatically bybringing reserve filling-carriers into action and ejecting those whichare indicated for replacement, means for delivering the ejectedlilling-carriers from the various looms at a receiving-station.

2. In combination with a plurality of looms respectively operating toeffect weft replenishment automatically by bringing reservefilling-carriers into action and ejecting those which are indicated forreplaeen'ient, means, including a railway-belt, whereby the ejectedfilling-carriers from the various looms are conveyed away from thelatter, and means for delivering the said filling-carriers to saidrailway-belt after being ejected from the respective looms.

3. In combination with a plurality of looms having in connectiontherewith receivers or receptacles, mechanism for conveying reservefilling supplies to the respective receivers or receptacles for use inthe various looms.

4. In combination with a plurality of looms respectively operating toeiiect weft replenishment automatically by bringing reservefilling-carriers into action and ejecting those which are indicated forreplacement, said looms having in connection therewith receivers forreserve lillingcarriers, means whereby filling-carriers are conveyed tothe respective receivers.

5. In combination with a plurality of looms respectively operating toeffect weft replenishment automatically by bringing reservefilling-carriers into action and ejecting those which are indicated forreplacement, means for delivering the ejected filling-carrier from thevarious looms at a receiving-station, and means for conveying anddistributing reserve filling-carriers for use in the various looms.

6. In combination with a plurality of looms respectively operating toeffect weft replenishment automatically by bringing reservefilling-carriers into action and ejecting those which are indicated forreplacement, means for delivering the ejected filling-carriers from thevarious looms at a receiving-station, a moving-belt for conveyingreserve filling-carriers, and means for distributing the latter toreceivers in connection with the respective looms.

7. In combination with a loom operating to effect weft replenishment byautomatically bringing a reserve filling-receptacle into action andejecting the spent or failed one, an organized mechanism apart from saidloom for reloading the ejected filling-receptacle, and means forconveying the said ejected filling-receptacle from said loom to saidreloading mechanism.

8. In combination with a loom operating to effect weft replenishment byautomatically bringing a reserve filling-receptacle into action andejecting the spent or failed one, an organized mechanism apart from saidloom for reloading the ejected filling-receptacle, means for conveyingthe said ejected fillingreceptacle from said loom to said reloadingmechanism and for returning the reloaded filling-receptacle, and areceiver in connection with said loom to which the said loadedfilling-receptacle is delivered from said conveying means.

9. In combination with a loom operating to effect weft replenishment byautomatically bringing a reserve filling-receptacle into action andejecting the spent or failed one, means for conveying the ejectedfilling-receptacle away from the loom, and an organized mechanism apartfrom said loom to which the said filling-receptacle is conveyed by thesaid means operating to introduce a fresh load of filling into thefilling-receptacle and to automatically thread the latter.

10. In combination with a plurality of looms respectively operating toeffect weft replenishment automatically by bringing reservefilling-receptacles into action and ejecting those which are indicatedfor replacement, and having receivers for reserve filling-receptacles inconnection therewith, a reloading mechanism, means for conveying theejected filling-receptacles from said looms to said reloading mechanism,and means for returning the reloaded filling-receptacles anddistributing them to the respective looms.

11. In combination with a loom operating to effect weft replenishment byautomatically bringing a reserve filling-receptacle into action andejecting the spent or failed one, a reloading mechanism apart from suchloom, and means for conveying the ejected filling-receptacle from saidloom to said reloading mechanism, arranged to present the saidfilling-receptacle with the respective ends thereof in predeterminedposition relative to the said reloading mechanism.

12. In combination with a plurality of looms respectively operating toeffect weft replenishment automatically by bringing reservefilling-receptacles into action and ejecting those which are indicatedfor replacement, a railway-belt for collecting and conveying away thefillingreceptacles which are ejected from the said looms, and chutesconducting the said filling-receptacles from the respective looms to thesaid railway-belt.

13. In combination with aplurality of looms, a railway-belt extendingpast the same and adapted to collect and convey away the spent or failedfilling-carriers from said looms, and means to deliver saidfilling-carriers to the said railway-belt.

14. In combination with a loom operating to effect weft replenishment byautomatically bringing a reserve filling-receptacle into action andejecting the spent or failed one, a railway-belt receiving and conveyingaway the filling-receptacles which are ejected from the said loom, and achute conducting the said filling-receptacles from the loom to therailway-belt and provided with means to deflect the respectivefilling-receptacles so as to cause a given end of each to proceedforemost in being delivered to the said railway-belt.

15. In combination with a loom operating I to effect weft replenishmentby automatically bringing a reserve filling-receptacle into action andejecting the spent or failed one, means for collecting and conveyingaway the ejected filling-receptacles, and means for turning the saidfilling-receptacles to present agiven side of each in predeterminedposition.

16. In combination with a loom operating to effect weft replenishment byautomatically bringing a reserve filling-receptacle into action andejecting the spent or failed on e, means for conveying away the ejectedfilling-receptacles, means for turning. the said filling-receptacles topresent a given side of each in predetermined position preparatory toreloading, and mechanism for reloading the fillingreceptacle with weftor filling.

17. In combination, means for feeding filling-receptacles, means actingin connection with such filling-receptacles to turn misplaced ones andthereby cause each of the filling-receptacles to be presented with agiven side of each in predetermined position for reloading, andmechanism for reloading the filling-receptacles with weft or filling.

18. In combination, means for feeding fillingreceptacles, and meansacting in connec- IIO tion.

reaose tion With such filling-receptacles to right mis placed ones andthereby cause each of the filling-receptacles to assume a predeterminedposition.

19. In combination, means for feeding filling-receptacles, means forturning said receptacles into the same plane, and means to invertreversed filling-receptacles and thereby cause each of thefilling-recemaeles to present a given side thereof in a predeterminedposi- 20. In combination with a loom operating to effect Weftreplenishment by automatically bringing a reserve filling-receptacleinto action and ejecting the spent or failed one, means for conveyingthe ejected filling-receptacles, means for turning said ejectedlilling-receptacles into the same plane, and means to invert reversedfilling-receptacles and thereby cause each of the fillingreceptacles topresent a given side thereotin predetermined position.

21. In combination, a conveying device for filling-receptacles, adetector cooperating with the passing filling -receptacles, and meansunder operative control of the said detector acting to separate thefilling-receptacles which are in the desired position from those whichare not.

22. In combination, a conveying device for filling-receptacles, aturning-over device for causing the advancing idling-receptacles toassume the same plane, a detector cooperating with the passingfilling-receptacles, and means under operative control of the saiddetector acting to separate the filling-receptacles which are in thedesired position from those which are in reversed position.

23. In combination, a conveying device for filling-receptacles, aturning-over device for causing the advancing lilling-receptacles toassume the same plan 6, a detector cooperating with the passingfilling-receptacles, means under operatlve control of the said detectoracting to separate the filling-receptacles which are in the desiredposition from those which are in reversed position, and means to invertthe latter and-thereby place them in the prelivering the same thereiromatter being load determined position.

24:- In combination, a conveyer for lillingthreading the loadedfilling-case.

receptacles, a detector cooperating with the advancingfilling-receptacles, means under op- I filling-receptacles preparatoryto being placed erative control of said detector acting to separate thefilling-receptacles Which are in desired position from those which arenot, means for causing the lilling-receptacles last mentioned to assumethe desired position, and mechanism for loading said filling-receptacleswith filling.

25. In combination, a filling-receptacle conveyer branching to form twocourses or run and having in connection with one thereof provisions toright the lilling-receptacles passingtheretln'ough, a detector inadvance of the point of branching cooperating with'the lilli l l ling-receptacles moving along said conveyer, and means operativelycontrolled by said detector and whereby the lilling receptacles whichare not in desired. position are diverted into the course or runaforesaid in order to be righted therein.

26. In ecmibination, a conveyer having for an intermediate portion ofits length two courses or runs, and having in connection with. onethereof provisions for righting the lillingreceptacles passingtherethrough, a detector in advance of such portion coacting with thepassing filling-receptacles, means hperatively controlled by the saiddetector and. occasion ing the entranceof the filling-receptacles intothe respective courses or runs, and mechanism for loading thefilling-receptacles with filling.

27. lVlcchanism for reloadingfilling-cases for employment inlomn-shuttles, comprising,

essentially, in combination, a magazine for Wound filling, devices forejecting a spent or failed lilling-carrier from a filling-case removed,from a shuttle, and for introducing a fresh charge or load of fillinginto such fillingcase, and means for automatically threading thefilling-case.

28. Mechanism for reloading filling-cases for employnient inloom-shuttles, comprising, essentially, means for supporting afilling-case removed from the shuttle in position for being loaded, amagazine for wound filling, devices for ejecting the spent or failed.filling carrier from such filling-case, and for introducing a chargc'orload of filling into the latter, and means For automatically feedingtilling-cases to the loading instrumentalities and delivering the sametherefrom after being loaded.

29. Mechanism for reloading filling-cases for employment inloom-shuttles, comprising, essentially, means for supporting afilling-case removed from the shuttle in position for being loaded, amagazine for wound filling, devices for ejecting the spent or failedfillingcarrier from such filling-ease, and for introducing a charge orload of filling into the latter, means for automatically feedingfillingcases to the loading instrumentalities and deed, andinstrumentalities for automatically 30. In an organized machine forreloading in a loom, in combination, means for supplyinglilling-receptacles, a magazine for Wound filling, instrumcntalities forejecting the spent or failed lilling-carriers from the filling-cases andintroducing :l resh charges or loads of filling into the latter, meansfor "feeding tl1elil1- ing-recwtacles successively into position for theinsertion of filling into the same and then discharging the same, andinstrumentalities for threading the loaded lilling-receptacles.

31. In comlirination, means for supplying lilling-receptaclcs, amagazine for Wound filling, instrumentalities for loading thefillingreceptacles with said filling, means for feeding: thefilling-receptacles to the said instrumentalities and then dischargingthe same, a plurality of looms, and means for conveying and distributingthe loaded filling-receptacles to said looms.

32. In combination,a plurality of looms having receivers forfilling-receptacles in connection therewith, a conveyer forfilling-receptacles, said conveyer having deliveries for the respectivereceivers, and means to control the passage of the filling-receptaclesto the respective receivers.

33. In combination,a plurality of looms having receivers forfilling-receptacles in connection therewith, a conveyer forfilling-receptacles, said conveyer having deliveries for the respectivereceivers, and switches to control the passage of thefilling-receptacles through the respective deliveries to thecorresponding receivers.

34:. In combination, a plurality of looms having receivers forfilling-receptacles in connection therewith, a conveyer forfilling-receptacles, means for delivering from said conveyer to therespective receivers, and automatic means for regulating such deliveryunder control of the contents of the receivers.

35. In combination, a plurality of looms having movable receivers forfilling-receptacles in connection therewith, a conveyer forfillingreceptacles having deliveries for the respective receivers,switches to control the passage of the filling-receptacles through therespective deliveries to the corresponding receivers, and means foroperating the said switches from the said receivers.

36. In combination, a slideway for fillingreceptacles, means to regulatethe movement of the filling-receptacles along said slideway, including amovingstop to arrest a filling-receptacle in position for being loaded,a maga zine for wound filling, and means for introducing a load of woundfilling into the said filling-receptacle.

37. In combination, a slideway for fillingreceptacles, means to regulatethe movement of the filling-receptacles along said slideway, including amoving stop to arresta filling-receptacle in position for being loaded,a magazine for wound filling, means for introducing a load of woundfilling into the said filling-re ceptacle, and instrumentalities forthreading the loaded filling-receptacle.

38. In combination, a slideway for fillingreceptacles, means to regulatethe movement of the filling-receptacles along said slideway,

including amoving stop to arrest a filling-re ceptacle in position forbeing loaded, a magazine for wound filling, means for introducing a loadof wound filling into the said filling-receptacle, means to holdextended the free ends of the said filling, and instrumentalities tothread the loaded filling-receptacles and disconnect the filling whichis introduced thereinto from the said holding means.

39. In combination, a slideway for fillingreceptacles, branched asdescribed, a switch to control the passage of filling-receptacles alongthe respective branches, and a detector arranged in advance of the saidswitch in the path of the filling-receptacle and operatively connectedwith said switch, to control the position thereof.

40. In combination, the slideway for fillingreceptacles, branched asdescribed, the switch,

the electromagnet whereby said switch is operated, and the detectoroperated by the advancing filling-receptacles and controlling theelectric circuit in which said electromagnet is included.

tl. In combination with a loom operating to effect weft replenishment byautomatically ejecting the spent or failed filling-receptacle andplacing a fresh or reserve filling-receptacle in action, means forconveying the ejected filling-receptacle away from the loom, and meanswhereby the filling-receptacle after being ejected from the loom isdelivered to the said conveying means with its respective ends inpredetermined position.

42. In combination with a loom operating to effect weft replenishment byautomatically ejecting the spent or failed filling-case from the workingshuttle, and placing a fresh or reserve filling-case in the saidshuttle, reloading mechanism whereby a fresh charge of filling is placedin the filling-case while the latter is removed from the shuttle.

4C3. In combination with a loom operating to effect weft replenishmentby automatically ejecting the spent or failed filling-case from theworking shuttle, and placing a fresh or reserve filling-case in thelatter, mechanism for ejecting the spent or failed filling-carrier fromthe said filling-case while removed from the said shuttle and forreplacing it with a fresh load or charge of filling.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY I. HARRIMAN.

' Witnesses:

CHAs. F. RANDALL, EDITH J. ANDERSON.

